April 3, 2015
The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus
A reading from the Gospel of Saint Luke 23, 33 – 49:
When they came to the place called the Skull; they crucified Jesus and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.” They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.” Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine, they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”
Now one of the criminals hanging there, reviled Jesus saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
It was now about noon and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the Temple was torn down the middle. Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit.”; and when he had said this he breathed his last. The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent beyond doubt.” When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts; but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.
Good Friday is the day that I live the Passion of the Lord. This started during my thirty-day retreat in Jerusalem. During this retreat I lived the Passion of the Lord for two weeks starting from the Garden of Gethsemane until His death on the cross. It was an unique experience and I know not too many have had this experience. Since then I live the Passion of the Lord for some hours on Good Friday. He makes me relive what He lived during this very great suffering. So tomorrow I will relive it again. I wrote a book called, “My Thirty-day Retreat.” It shows from day to day what I experience during this silent retreat. We did not have a preacher but we went to see our director individually once a day.I daily brought a report to my director about what happened during the last twenty four hours and he would read it and make comments and then he would tell me what I should do for the next twenty four hours.
Below is the message of Our Lord and Savior given to Father Melvin. Jesus spoke to him these words,
“Come My brother Melvin and all My brothers and sisters and spend time in contemplation on this Good Friday of My death on the cross. I offered My life until My death on the cross to My Father for the salvation of all the people of the world. You are all sinners and left on your own, you cannot enter heaven. So through My sacrifice, I atone for your sins, I opened heaven for you, and the Father forgave you all your offenses. I am the only person who could accomplish this because I am both divine and human. I am the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity and at the same time I am human born of the Blessed Virgin Mary. With these two natures, My heavenly Father could accept this sacrifice as perfect and so you could be renewed totally with a renewed human nature with all your sins taken away. Through My sacrifice you became the dear sons and daughters of God the Father and My very special brothers and sisters. Before My death on the cross, I gave My Mother to Saint John and to all of you as your Mother. You are all Her beloved children. She prays for you constantly and I want you all to love Her with all your heart. I call you all to believe in Me as your Savior and Lord and to pray for those who do not believe. I stretch out My hand to you all and I hope you will take it. I love you all.”
Father Melvin